EP0311295A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Improvements in surgical apparatus
Assignee: University College London
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Filing: 1988-09-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-09-28
Abstract
Abstract Surgical apparatus comprises a waveguide, for example an optical fibre (3), through which laser energy is applied to tissues for such purposes as ablation of atheroma, destruction of calculi and lithotripsy. The fibre is provided with an end-piece (4) through which it passes, and terminates flush with its distal end. For various applications at least the tip (14) of the end-piece may be made either highly reflective or highly absorptive of the laser radiation. A balloon catheter (5) may be fitted over the fibre. The end-piece may be provided with sensing means (15).
Inventors
- 👤 Jonathan Anthony Michaels
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/28; A61B18/24; A61B18/245; A61B18/26; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00022; A61B2017/00057; A61B2017/00084; A61B2017/00092; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22038; A61B2017/22051; A61B2017/22072; A61B17/28; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/2927; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00059; A61B2018/00089; A61B2018/00095; A61B2018/2244; A61B5/00; A61B5/0059; A61B5/0082; A61B5/0084; A61B90/00; A61B90/39; A61M; A61M25/00; A61M25/10; A61M25/104; C; C08; C08G; C08G2350/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
Surgical apparatus comprising a laser (1) coupled to an optic waveguide (3) for the laser radiation, the waveguide being of a form adapted for percutaneous insertion into a viscus and with an end-piece (4) surrounding the waveguide end, characterised in that the waveguide extends through the end-piece and terminates flush with its distal end.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
Surgical apparatus comprising a laser (1) coupled to an optic waveguide (3) for the laser radiation, the waveguide being of a form adapted for percutaneous insertion into a viscus and with an end-piece (4) surrounding the waveguide end, characterised in that the waveguide extends through the end-piece and terminates flush with its distal end.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 1 in which at least the extremity of the end-piece surrounding the waveguide end (13) is composed of a material which is strongly reflective at the laser wavelength.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 1 in which the laser delivers energy in pulses of less than one millisecond duration, each pulse being of an energy sufficient to cause ablation of tissue at the waveguide tip.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which at least the extremity of the end-piece surrounding the waveguide end is strongly absorptive at the laser wavelength and the end-piece is of a material which is a poor thermal conductor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
Surgical apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the waveguide comprises an optic fibre.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 5 in which the fibre is protected by a spiral or braided wire sheath (11) and the end-piece is attached to the wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Surgical apparatus according to claim 6 in which the fibre is removable from the sheath and end-piece to enable the fibre to be replaced by a guide-wire.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Surgical apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the end-piece is provided with sensing means (15) for sensing the amount of energy delivered to the active end of the device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Surgical apparatus according to any preceding claim so shaped and dimensioned as to allow it to be inserted through an endoscope or a cannula.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Surgical apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the waveguide carries a balloon catheter (5) which is free to slide along the guide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
Surgical apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 6 in which the waveguide carries a wire (17) which is retained in guides (19) alongside the waveguide, passes through a channel in the end-piece, and is provided at its end with means preventing it from being withdrawn through the channel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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